Datong Hanging Monastery
Project Type:
architecture
Project Mission/Goal:
Buddhist temple that includes Taoist and Confucian elements. Architectural feat that has lasted the test of time.
Project Description:
The Hanging Temple (Xuan Kong Si) was built into the foot of the Hengshan Mountain above Jinlongkou Canyon in the Chinese Province of Shanxi. Built more than 1400 years ago, the halls and pavilions are built along the contours of the cliff face using the natural hollows and outcrops. The buildings are arrayed in a line from the south of the cliff to the north, and heightened gradually like a dragon pronating on the cliff. More than forty halls, rooms and pavilions in the temple are divided to three groups. The buildings are connected by corridors, bridges and boardwalks.
The monastery was constructed by chiseling a horizontal hole in the cliff, and inserting a beam, then putting boards and pillars on the mean to build various beam frames and roofs. Beam frames are harmonious up and down.
Statues of Confucius, Laozi (a scholar in ancient China) and Sakyamuni the founders of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism respectively, are enshrined in the hall. Different cultures directly encounter one another here. This building is a perfect combination of religion and culture of Chinese feudal society.
Links and Captions:
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_travel/2003-09/24/content_32449.htm
http://www.slideshare.net/drprabhatlkw/buddhism-in-china-presentation
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shanxi/datong/hanging.htm
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/china/hunyuan/xuankongsi.php
Project Details:
Project Location: Shanxi Province, China
Date(s): 491, rebuilt and maintained 1368-1644 (Ming Dynasty), 1644-1911 (Qing Dynasty)
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Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Liao Ran
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Nominated by Kate Stohr
